Getting things together, making lists, buying things I think I will need, and just generally getting excited about my winter trip to Florida.
I don't know if I will be able to keep this post going the whole trip, but I do want to be able to look back and remember it later. I hope you enjoy reading it-please feel free to post comments.
Back to the first paragraph for a moment. Most of the time I enjoy the getting ready for a trip almost as much as the trip itself. The planning is fun, I even enjoy loading things. Most of all though, I love the "list". My mind goes too fast for my body most of the time, then all of a sudden the mind just stops! At times I can't even remember my own name. That's why I love the list.
I grab a sheet of paper and a pen and just start jotting down ideas, articles I think I will need, tools, etc. I just let it flow as long as it will. Suddenly it stops. That's OK. I just put it away for the time being. Sooner or later I pick it up again and go over it. I will add a few things, mark out a few things, then put it away again. I make this list several times before anything happens.
Of course there are are always "staple" items-food, clothing, towels, soap, cooking utensils. However, for a three month trip this far from home, there are also items that I need to have with me. I learned a lot last winter. When I go on my short one week fishing trips I don't worry about things like tweezers, nail clippers, laundry detergent, bleach, etc. I remembered to take my drill last year, but forgot drill bits. I had a screwdriver bit with the drill, but no screws. I had an extra battery, but no battery charger. I think you can see where I'm going with this. I have to write it down or I won't have it with me if I need it.
Why would I need a drill, charged battery and screws in an RV? Well, the velcro that holds the privacy curtain in the front of the RV was well worn. The curtain kept falling down. I just happened to have a little velcro strip in my bike kit. The problem was I had no screws to hold the velcro to the section where it's supposed to go. I did buy some screws at the Publix, but it would have happened sooner if I had just had a small assortment of screws with me. So, all that is now on the list :)
I have refined my list by now, and I think I have it down to things I will, or could need. I can't take everything I could possibly need, but with the drill, bits, a few screws, some duct tape and WD-40, a hammer and pliars, I think I'm set for most things that I can handle by myself.
OK, this is mainly a test blog to see if I remembered how to do it, and how to post it. I won't update it again until I'm almost ready to leave. That won't be until mid December-46 days after today to be exact. Until then, everyone enjoy Hallowe'en and Thanksgiving!
Jeff
